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One of the requirements for a good night’s sleep is a good pillow. A good pillow can make a poor mattress tolerable while a terrible pillow can even make a good mattress feel inadequate. The good news is that quality bed pillows are relatively inexpensive purchase compared to the other furnishings for the bedroom.

Many experts recommend replacing foam and synthetic pillows every one to two years, while a good down filled pillow can last five to ten years. These estimates vary depending on the quality of the pillow and how frequently it is used. You have to buy new pillows if:

• Your down pillow is over five years old
• Your synthetic pillow is more than a year old
• Your pillow feels uncomfortable
• You wake up with knots in your shoulders or neck
• Your current pillow is already lumpy, flat, misshapen

If you decide to buy new pillows, the next question is how to choose a good quality pillow. On the outside, most new pillows look fairly similar. There are three primary things yoiu have to consider before finally deciding which one you will take home. First, buy from a reputable source. Second, consider the brand name of the manufacturer as well as the type of  pillow filling. Third, keep an eye on the length of the manufacturer’s warranty since it’s a good indication of a quality pillow.

The standard pillow size is 20′ x 26′. This size is easy to find and will fit on all bed sizes. Use one for a twin bed, two for a double or queen bed, and three for a king bed. Pillowcases are also very easy to find for standard pillows. Queen size pillows are four inches longer than a standard pillow but queen size pillow cases are difficult to find. King size pillows are the longest, measuring 20′ x 36′. Use one for a twin bed, two for a double or queen bed, and three for a king bed. Pillowcases are also very easy to find for standard pillows.

What are the different kinds of pillow fillings? Down is the most luxurious pillow filling. It is very soft, light and has a cozy, comfortable feel. Goose down is the finest down available, with duck down a close second. The quality of down fill is rated for “fill power” using a numbering system. Down pillows rated at more than 500 fill power would be more expensive, longer lasting, and of higher quality than those rated with lower numbers. Down pillows can be very helpful for sleepers who like to arrange their pillows “just so” since the soft fillings make it easy to adjust to your liking. They are available in soft, medium and firm styles.

In chooosing a quality down filling, look at the manufacturer’s warranty, the thread count of the pillow’s fabric, quality of the down (pure down vs. down and feather mix) and higher “fill power” rating. Feathers are the other natural filler for bed pillows. They can be heavier than down and are also a bit firmer in feel. Feathers are sometimes used in a firm inner core inside down pillows. They are also often mixed into down and feather pillows which are less expensive than 100% down.

Synthetic pillows are most often filled with polyester. They are fluffy and generally a bit firm and can be less adaptable if you like to push in the corners of your pillow to make sleeping more comfortable. Like foam, many synthetics can provide good support. Some synthetic fillings are also made to resemble down. Look for these if you love the feel of down but need a less expensive alternative or prefer the synthetic fibers. Some synthetics have a shorter useable life than quality down and might need to be replaced more frequently.

Foam pillows can be firm and somewhat unyielding when it comes to pushing it into a comfortable position. Their benefit is that they will offer consistent support for back and side sleepers, and are less likely to move and shift in use. Like synthetics, foam pillows may need to be replaced more frequently than a down pillow.

Today pillows are designed specifically for one of the three sleep positions: side, back, or stomach. If you change positions during the night, then your preferred position may be the way you generally begin your sleep.

Bed pillows also fall into three categories of soft, medium and firm. Buy a softer pillow if you sleep on your stomach. This will allow your head to rest closer to horizontal and reduce the strain on your neck. Purchase a medium pillow if you sleep on your back or if you have narrow shoulders and sleep on your side. You might decide on a firm pillow if you have wider shoulders and sleep on your side.

Premium Goose Down Pillow - Firm: Gusseted pillow construction and piping around the perimeter make this an exceptional pillow. More loft at the edges means improved neck support.  Made in USA of imported materials. 600-fill-power Eddie Bauer Premium Goose Down. Fine, 300-thread-count, 100% cotton dobby damask, box-weave leakproof shell. Gusseted pillow construction. Perimeter piping. Extra loft at edges increases neck support. Firmer pillows are great for side sleepers. Standard: 20″x26″, 20-oz. fill wt. Queen: 20″x30″, 23-oz. fill wt. King: 20″x36″, 27-oz. fill wt.

HoMedics Ortho Therapy Lumbar Cushion Support Pillow with Velour Cover: The Ortho+Therapy Memory Foam Lumbar Pillow provides therapeutic support with superior comfort for your lower back. The thermo-sensitive memory foam contours perfectly to your lower back. The Lumbar Pillow is portable and is designed with an integrated strapping system. Also comes with a machine washable plush velour cover. Superior comfort for your lower back. Thermo-sensitive. Perfectly portable with integrated strapping system. Machine washable plush velour cover. 13″ x 12.5″ x 4″.

Down-Surround Pillow: The comfort of down, the firmness of feather. Chosen for its softness and support, this pillow can be found at the finest hotels and resorts. The outer layer of soft, lofty premium white goose down surrounds an inner core of resilient white goose feathers to provide firmer support and luxurious comfort night after night. Allergy free.

Martex 205-Thread-Count Damask Standard Pillows, Set of 2: Pure cotton covers and quality Wellman polyester fibers in extra fill weight make this pillow set a great place to rest weary heads! The 100% cotton cover is white on white damask woven stripe in a comfortable 205-thread-count. Extra-weight filling is quality polyester fibers by Wellman. The comfort of pure cotton and the durability of polyester are a winning combination.

Comfort Zone® Travel Contour Pillow: From the JCPenney Home Collection. Visco-elastic memory foam equalizes pressure and reduces tension. Contoured travel pillow has 3-position design for total comfort and lasting support for your stomach, side and back. Ideal to tuck into your suitcase, bring in the car, take on a plane and more. Get your rest as if you were at home. 2.50-lb. density. 10×14x5″H. 5″ loft. Hypoallergenic. Pillow has an embroidered linen-colored removable zippered velour cover; washable cotton/polyester. Spot clean foam. 5-year manufacturer’s limited warranty. USA of imported materials.

Dream Supreme Plus 100% Gel Filled Pillows: This set of two down-alternative Dream Supreme Plus pillows features 100% hypoallergenic gel fill for firm support. These superior quality pillows provide the softness of down and comfortable support for back, side, and stomach sleepers alike. The shell is made of a 370-thread-count, 100% mercerized cotton fabric with a floral jacquard pattern. The gel fill provides great loft recovery and does not shift, and is also machine washable and dryable on a cool setting. Set of 2 hypoallergenic down-alternative pillows. Gell fill has great loft recovery and does not shift. 370-thread-count 100% cotton shell. Cotton shell features a floral jacquard pattern.

Creativity for Kids Fleecy Fluffy PJ Pillow: Create a pretty pillow for your pajamas. No-sew design includes fluffy fleece, satin ribbons and adhesive back fabric appliqu? Store your pajamas and sleepover gear inside the bolster-style pillow form. Use the super-soft fleece to create the prettiest pillow for your bed and a unique hollow hiding place for PJs and sleepover gear. Kit includes a bolster-style pillow form and adhesive-backed felt appliqués. Provides children with experiences that stimulate and encourage their natural creativity; no-sew design.

Micro Bead Therapy Pillow with Cover: Beautiful Microbead pillow with Bonus Cover. Soft pillow containing millions of micro beads to cradle the head. Outer shell made of spandex fabric that stretches to any position. Never needs fluffing; always retains its original shape. Velour pillowcase with zippered closure included with purchase. Measures 22 by 15 inches; pillowcase is machine washable.

Beyond Down Gel Fiber Bed Pillow: Luxurious Synthetic Down Pillow using our Micro-Denier Gel Fiber for the feel of 600 fill power pure down. 300TC 100% cotton danask weave cover. Double needle corded edges. Filled with luxurious micro denier gel fiber. Hypoallergenic.

Royal Velvet Legacy 275-Thread-Count Feather/Down Pillow: European white feather and down Standard pillow with 32-ounce fill. A 575+ fill power rating cradles the head in comfort and provides extra warmth. Removable 275-thread-count cotton outer cover; 233-thread-count cotton inner cover. Antimicrobial down treatment to prevent the growth of bacteria; machine washable. Measures 20 by 26 inches; backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

Cool Sensations Down Alternative Standard Pillow: Down alternative pillow with zip off pillow case. Minimizes the impact of hot flashes and night sweats. Clinically proven to improve quality of sleep. Reduces the effects of sweating. Surrounds you with cool dry comfort.

Pike Street 233-Thread Count Quilted Feather/Down Jumbo Pillow, Set of 2: Enjoy luxurious rest on plush feather and down pillows. Available in a handy set of two, Pike Street’s pillow features a 233-thread-count quilted cotton cover with double stitching and self piping. It is filled with 42 total ounces in a ratio of 95 percent feathers and 5 percent down. Jumbo-sized pillows are larger than standard, but not as large as queen. Each jumbo pillow measures 20 by 28 inches. Set of 2 plush feather and down pillows with quilted cotton covers. 233-thread-count cotton cover; 95 percent feather/5 percent down filling. Quilted cover is double-stitched and finished with self piping. Filled with 42 total ounces of feather and down. Jumbo is larger than standard, smaller than queen; measures 20 by 28 inches.

Simmons Beautyrest 300 Thread Count 100% Cotton Stripe Bed Pillow: Simmons Beautyrest 300 Thread Count 100% Cotton Stripe Bed Pillow is comfortable and supportive, this pillow is generously filled with Hollocore polyester fiber with corded edges. A great pillow is the pefect way to get a great night sleep and increase day time energy, speed muscle recovery and improve overall circulation. Standard Pillow Size 20″ x 26″. Material Content: 100% Cotton 300 Thread Count. Fill: 100% Slick Hollowcore Polyester Fiber.

Lauren Ralph Lauren “Cabana Stripe” Pillow, Extra Firm King, 20×36″: Rest soundly on your side as you float off to dreamland on this pillow. Woven of the softest 100% cotton sateen and filled with cozy yet durable Fiberfill, this pillow has a white sateen striped pattern and a stately Ralph Lauren crest on the shell.

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